Scientific Storytelling – When Science meets Journalism

The event "Scientific Storytelling - العلم حكاية" is a cooperation between the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Goethe Institute. It is the continuation of the pilot project "Writing about Science - الكتابة في المجال العلمي" which started in 2017. The project aims at strengthening science journalism in Egypt by bringing scientists and journalists together.

Thirteen Egyptian scientists, affiliated to Egyptian universities and research institutes, participated in the two-day workshop which took place on February 11 & 12, 2018 at the Premises of DAAD Cairo as well as the Goethe-Institut Dokki. The first workshop day was meant to be a preparation for the scientists before meeting a group of journalists on the following day.

Scientists were trained on how to “talk science to non-scientists”, while journalists learned how to find stories and experts in science and put the science into journalism. The highlight of the workshop was the second day when scientists and journalists met and got to know the perception they have about one another. The take home message of the of the workshop was clear: science is meant to be available, attractive and understandable for the public which is a shared responsibility between the scientists as well as the journalists.

Last June a conference entitled “Scientific Storytelling - Science meets Journalism” was held at the DAAD Cairo premises to present the outcome of the workshop and exchange views regarding the experience gained.

In continuation of its support to science journalism in Egypt, the DAAD organized for a group of scientists a delegation trip to Germany to offer them an in-depth insight about research marketing and how it is conducted in Germany. The trip is also meant to enhance the skills gained from the workshops conducted in Egypt, by meeting experts in the field of science journalism in Germany. Delegation trip members are expected to act as multipliers and transfer the knowledge gained in Germany to their Egyptian peers.